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The two-time rugby World Cup star was a late entry into the race but made it to the start-line for the 9.15am start with Gemma, and his sister Joanna.

Despite putting in a solid effort to finish the race in less than four hours, Richie hit a couple of tricky river crossings along the way. He sustained some injuries to both his legs and needed stitches after the race.

Commenting to Stuff on his fitness level, the 36-year-old said he was “probably” as fit as he’d been before retiring in 2015, but without the intensity of constant gym workouts.

While Richie hasn’t said whether he’ll one day compete in the entire 243km South Island race, he isn’t ruling out the possibility either.

“I can see that it’s a bug. Maybe one day, you never know.”

Gemma, who ran with her sister-in-law for most of the race, could be looking to improve her time if she enters the race again, and has said she may well be “very” tempted to enter the two-day race in the future.